Burglary sentencing for man suspected in attorney's slaying delayed again

Saturday

May 24, 2008 at 12:01 AMMay 24, 2008 at 10:33 PM

Sentencing for a Rockford man who police believe is involved in the death of his attorney has been postponed again, this time so attorneys can argue whether a different judge should hear the case and whether the case should be heard in Winnebago County at all.

Corina Curry

Sentencing for a Rockford man who police believe is involved in the death of his attorney has been postponed again, this time so attorneys can argue whether a different judge should hear the case and whether the case should be heard in Winnebago County at all.

Richard E. Wanke Jr., 46, was set to be sentenced on an unrelated 2007 burglary conviction today, but Wanke’s new attorney, Glenn Jazwiec, asked the court for more time to prepare.

Judge Joe McGraw, who has presided over the case since another judge recused himself in February, granted the extension, setting a June 2 date for arguments.

No new sentencing date was set.

“Given the complexity of the situation, with a new lawyer entering at the stage that he is entering, it’s to be expected,” Winnebago County Deputy State’s Attorney Margie O’Connor said about the delays. “It’s disappointing, though.”

Wanke, who was out of jail on bond awaiting sentencing on the burglary, has been jailed since early February when police questioned him about the Feb. 6 shooting death of his court-appointed attorney, Gregory H. Clark. A judge revoked Wanke’s bond at that time.

Wanke’s roommate, Diane Chavez, 49, also is in jail on charges of tampering with public records. Chavez, who police also suspect is involved in Clark’s slaying, also was jailed in early February on allegations that she obstructed the investigation into Clark’s death.

She bonded out March 12, but was rearrested on the tampering charge April 11.

Neither Chavez nor Wanke has been charged with killing Clark. Police say the investigation into Clark’s death is ongoing.

Wanke’s 2007 burglary conviction stems from a 2006 incident in which he entered the Rockford College office of Robert McCauley and stole a laptop computer. A jury found Wanke guilty of the crime last year.

Wanke faces a sentence ranging from probation to three to seven years in prison.